Libsyn Directory

470 | Why did the Marion County Public Defenders Decide to Unionize Their Office w/Lucy Frick and Tim Smith

Release Date: 04/28/2026

473 | Public Defenders Should Tell the Courts and Their Clients How Many Cases they Have w/John Gross

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Professor John Gross. This time, the two discuss a recent article published by John that offers public defenders another strategy to deal with excessive workloads. Guest: John Gross, Professor of Law, University of Wisconsin Resources: Read John’s Article Here Contact John Here Contact Hunter Parnell: ...

472 | Can Former Public Defenders Improve the Bench in Multnomah County, Oregon? w/Kristine Almquist, Joe Hagedorn, Peter Klym, Joanna Perini-Abott, Chris Behre

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by five former public defenders, all running for a judicial position in Multnomah County, Oregon. Hunter and the candidates discuss how they view the role of a judge to solve various issues that might come before the court. Guest: Kristine Almquist, Full Time Judicial Officer, Candidate for Judicial Position 14, Multnomah County, Oregon Peter Klym, Deputy Public Defender, Appellate Division, OPDC, Candidate for Judicial Position 12, Multnomah County, Oregon Joanna Perini-Abott, Professor of Law, Lewis and Clark School of Law, Candidate for...

471 | The Science of Second Chances w/Jennifer Doleac

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by Jennifer Doleac, Executive VP of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures and author of the book, The Science of Second Chances. Throughout the episode, Hunter and Jennifer discuss the evidence that supports rehabilitation as a purpose of punishment, the lack of evidence to support retribution as a purpose of punishment, and get into their disagreements about the role of policing in public safety. Guest: Jennifer Doleac, Executive VP of Criminal Justice, Arnold Ventures, Author, Science of Second Chances Resources: More from Jennifer...

470 | Why did the Marion County Public Defenders Decide to Unionize Their Office w/Lucy Frick and Tim Smith

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by Lucy Frick and Tim Smith of the Marion County Public Defender Office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Over the past two years, Lucy, Tim and the rest of the office fought hard to unionize their office. This episode aims to help people understand why they fought so hard and why others should unionize their offices. Guest: Lucy Frick, Attorney, Major Felony Division, Marion County Public Defender Tim Smith, Social Worker, Major Felony Division, Marion County Public Defender Resources: Contact Lucy Learn More About the Office ...

469 | How Tennessee's Mass Incarceration Policies are Making the State less Safe w/Dawn Deaner

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Dawn Deaner, Executive Director of the Choosing Justice Initiative and a candidate for Davidson County Judge Criminal Court Division III. Dawn and Hunter discussed some major changes to the legal system in Tennessee that make it easier for the state to incarcerate people pre- and post-trial. As these policies have come into effect, Dawn has vocally opposed these practices because she understands the harms they do to the community, and that is part of why she hopes to join the bench in Davidson County. Guest: Dawn Deaner,...

468 | How the New Jersey Public Defenders are Integrating AI into their Work w/Jennifer Sellitti

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Jennifer Sellitti, the Public Defender for the state of New Jersey. This time, Hunter and Jennifer discussed a slew of topics including her efforts to expand holistic defender services across the state and how her office is leading the way in integrating AI tools into their practice. Guest: Jennifer Sellitti, The Public Defender for the State of New Jersey Resources: Learn More About NJ Public Defense Contact Hunter...

467 | How Coroners Keep How People Die While in Police Custody Hidden from the Public w/Terence Keel

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Terence Keel to discuss his book Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence. Hunter and Terrance discussed the history of the coroner’s office and how they are able to use the five categories of death classification to make it impossible to hold people accountable for death’s in custody. Guest: Terence Keel, Professor, UCLA, Author, Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence Resources: Contact Terence and Pick up a Copy of the Book Here ...

466 | The Lawsuit Challenging How Missouri Treats People with Mental Illness Being Held Pre-Trial w/Maureen Hanlon and Anita Tabb

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by Maureen Hanlon and Anita Tabb, two people fighting to change how Missouri treats people with mental illness in the states jails and prisons. Under Missouri law, a person who is found incompetent to stand trial is to have a competency evaluation conducted within 60 days of the court ordering it. Yet, people are often waiting 6 months just to be evaluated, and on average, people are spending 14 months in custody before they get the mental healthcare they are owed. Today, we are talking about the lawsuit aiming to change this practice. Guest: ...

465 | The Fines and Fees Justice Center's Campaigns to Break the Invisible Shackles of Court Fees and Fines w/Dylan Hayre and Emily King

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by two amazing guests from the Fines and Fees Justice Center, Dylan Hayre and Emily King. They joined the show to discuss incredible campaigns in Arizona, North Dakota, and Oklahoma that have started to eliminate the fines and fees that keep people trapped in debt for decades. Guest: Dylan Hayre, National Advocacy and Campaign Director, Fines and Fees Justice Center Emily King, Senior Advocacy and Campaign Specialist, Fines and Fees Justice Center Resources: Learn More About FFJC Here Arrests as Guilt Contact...

464 | The Public Defender Hoping to Bring a New Generation of Leadership to Congress w/Vichal Kumar

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Vichal Kumar. On previous episodes, Vichal joined to discuss the incredible work he has accomplished with Partners for Justice. Today, he joins the show to discuss how the lessons he has learned as a line PD and with PFJ are driving him to run for Congress in New York’s 7th Congressional District. Guest: Vichal Kumar, Candidate for New York’s 7th Congressional District Resources: Learn More About His Campaign Here Contact Hunter...

More Episodes

Guest:

Lucy Frick, Attorney, Major Felony Division, Marion County Public Defender

Tim Smith, Social Worker, Major Felony Division, Marion County Public Defender

Resources:

Contact Lucy

Lucy.Frick@indy.gov

Learn More About the Office

https://www.indy.gov/agency/marion-county-public-defender-agency

Contact Hunter Parnell:

Publicdefenseless@gmail.com

Instagram